L’Ecole No 41has throughout its long history (the winery recently celebrated its 30th anniversary) carried the banner for Washington Chenin Blanc, making its first varietal offering in 1987. While plantings of the grape in the state have dwindled in recent years (see an article I wrote on Chenin Blanc for Edible Seattle a couple years ago here), the L’Ecole Chenin Blanc has flourished. The winery makes nearly 4,000 cases of its Chenin to slake the nation’s thirst.

I am pleased and humbled to announce that Washington Wine Report is again a finalist for 'Best Single Subject Wine Blog' from this year's Wine Blog Awards. Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges (see the list of judges here) with the final awards based on public and judges' votes. Friend and fellow local blogger Jameson Fink (JamesonFink.com) is also a finalist for "Best Writing On A Wine Blog." My congratulations to him and to the other finalists.

For me, it's the journey, not the destination. However, for those interested in voting, you can do so hereuntil May 24th at 11:59pm...somewhere. Read more about the Wine Blog Awards here.

Folks, I had to close down last week's poll on Washington's signature grape as the Blogger poll widget loses votes faster than Florida! I have subsequently relocated the poll to my Washington Wine Report Facebook page. See the poll results and vote here:

Pic of the Vine is a monthly image from photographer Richard Duval. See previous images here.

While there's not an official start to Washington's wine touring season, we do know how to recognize the signs. Spring release celebrations are in full swing, barrel tastings are coming and for resident photographer Richard Duval, there's nothing quite like bud break to signal wine fun has begun.

"Prowling around Chelan during Spring Release took me to the vineyards of Nefarious where this burst of growth caught my eye," he said. "Like groundhogs, when we see bud break, we know it's time to come out of our winter burrows and start planning wine country adventures."

The May/June issue of Edible Seattle has an article I wrote on Cadence titled, "Time in the cellar - The patient rhythms of Cadence Winery." See a list of locations to purchase a copy here. Also, the May issue of Wine Enthusiasthas my first reviews for the magazine as well as a short article on Erik Chapman of Seattle's Sun Liquorcomplete with cocktail recipe. Read the latter here.

While Riesling is not Washington's No. 1 grape - barely - it is the white wine that most defines the state.

This is driven by Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington's oldest winery and the world's single largest producer of Riesling at more than 1 million cases.

But Chateau Ste. Michelle is not the only Riesling player in Washington. Hogue Cellars, Pacific Rim Winemakers, Charles Smith, and even Ste. Michelle siblings Columbia Crest and Snoqualmie make significant amounts of Washington Riesling.